A WMO International Workshop on the Global Review of Regional Climate Centre (RCC) Operations was held from 12 to 14 November in Pune, India, and hosted by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).

A new joint WMO/World Bank commitment was announced with the creation of an Alliance for Hydromet Development aimed at boosting climate and weather science and information for a resilient world. The initiative was announced on 12 October at an event on “Investing in a Climate Adapted World” held during the 2018 International Monetary Fund/World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bali, Indonesia.

WMO has joined the global commitment to reduce deaths due to air pollution by two thirds by 2030. At the First World Health Organization (WHO) Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, held in Geneva from 30 October to 1 November, WMO pledged to improve the quality and availability of pollution observations, enable provision of air quality forecasts and advisory services, and incorporate health impacts in key scientific assessments on climate and climate change.

WMO, together with the Government of Germany and the Geneva Water Hub, held a Mobilization for Water Data and Peace event on 27 November. Representatives from the Permanent Missions in Geneva attended to help advance the water data and peace agenda for sustainable development and to advocate for easily accessible and reliable water data to inform policy and decision-making in their national governments.